2010-06-09

Different Types of Draft Picks

1. The high-end prospect. Signed for big money. Possible injury risk. Boom-or-bust quality looms, but the potential was too large to pass up. Average General Manager's descriptive word of choice: "talented."

2. The college standout. Probably not a true superstar, but nowhere a scrub either. Signable. Should move quickly through the system. Average General Manager's descriptive word of choice: "polished."

3. The athlete. Inexperienced in baseball. Quick-twitch muscles. Might have a hard time with the curve... and the change... and maybe the fastball, too... and reading the ball off the bat... and getting jumps on the basepaths. Average General Manager's descriptive word of choice: "toolsy."

4. The solid citizen. Hard-worker. Overachiever. The kind of player who appeals to both scouts and newspaper writers, who generally don't agree on too much. Average General Manager's descriptive word of choice: "character."

5. The legacy. Familiar name, ending usually with a "Jr." Good "bloodlines." Doesn't play at all like his old man, but gets compared to him at every opportunity. Average General Manager's descriptive word of choice: "instincts."

6. The depth. "Senior signs" (college seniors offered the minimum), "local discounts" (hometown kids drafted by the team they grew up idolizing), small school standouts, and catchers. Every minor league team needs at least a 25-man roster, right? Average General Manager's descriptive word of choice: "nice."

Generally, the first 10 (maybe sometimes up to 15) rounds or so are for the players that the team is excited about. After that, they start drafting all of the scouts' lesser-known favorites, legacies, and positions of need.

Mattt,I have to say my initial reaction to taking Deck @ 11 was disappointment. I was hoping for a "toolsy" bat.But you know what? The Boy Wonder has not been wrong to many times this year. Pitching is always needed by ANY team. I heard that we will be resetting our prospects after we sign this years draft haul. Between Jenkins, Stewart, Drabek and hopefully Deck McGuire we should have some solid pieces moving forward.Remember, almost every major league reliever out there was a starter in high school and college. Some of these live young arms could make the transition to the pen if need be.....